Welcome to the Harpeth Hall Biology, Ecology & Environmental Issues Page
Here you will see the exploits of my Biology and Ecology Students
October 26th, 2016
A slime mold is growing in the compost bin outside of Massey Hall. Isn't it beautiful?
I believe this is Physarum polycephalum, a plasmodial slime mold. This kind of slime mold does not have distinct cells, but consist of a mult-nucleate mass that expands as it feeds. Here it is primarily growing on coffee grounds and feeding on fungi and bacteria that are feeding on the coffee grounds.
The Ecology classes tested the effect of earthworms and isopods on soil properties and plant growth using eco-terrariums that they constructed.
The eco-terrariums
Plant growth data
Curiously enough the worms/isopods combo had the worst performance.
Biology students study the rate of cellular respiration in goldfish.
AP Biology students studying cellular respiration using respirometers.
The AP Biology class calculated the molarity of Russett potato and sweet potato.
The higher molarity of the sweet potato means that their cells have a higher solute concentration and lower water potential.
Biology students study the effect of a rooting compound on root development
Plant cuttings exposed to rooting powder produced more roots...
And gained more mass.
B-block Ecology visited Warner Park on 8-26-2015
D-block Ecology visited Warner Park on 8-25-2015
Walk to School Day - October 14th Walk to School
Video the discusses the hazards of abandoned fishing nets.
April 2015
Environmental Science students do water sampling at the Harpeth River during a period of high flow.
Data
We also visited the Whites Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant
September 2014
The freshmen have started plants from seed for experiments.
And some of the plants have been transplanted to the hydroponic and aquaponic systems. Before too long these plants will take over.
The Ecology students visited the Warner Parks Nature Center and made observations of the different habitats.
March 2014
The Environmental Issues classes studied the greenhouse effect and the effect that moisture has on the effect. The found, not surprisingly, that cups containing soil become warmer when they are covered with plastic wrap. The more interesting effect is that of moisture. The dry treatments heated up faster in each case.
December 2013
The Honors Biology students studied a simulation of natural selection.
Predation of plain and printed butterflies is compared on plain and printed backgrounds.
You can see that it clearly helps to be a printed moth on a printed background, and a plain moth on a plain background.
December 6, 2013
The Honors Biology students have been growing edible plants under various conditions.
Hydroponics
Aquaponics
Little Cucumbers
Harvested Cucs
Kale
Getting ready to enjoy our kale, turnip greens, and cucumber salad.
Welcome to the Harpeth Hall Biology, Ecology & Environmental Issues Page
Here you will see the exploits of my Biology and Ecology StudentsOctober 26th, 2016
A slime mold is growing in the compost bin outside of Massey Hall. Isn't it beautiful?
The Ecology classes tested the effect of earthworms and isopods on soil properties and plant growth using eco-terrariums that they constructed.
The eco-terrariums
Plant growth data
Curiously enough the worms/isopods combo had the worst performance.
Biology students study the rate of cellular respiration in goldfish.
AP Biology students studying cellular respiration using respirometers.
The AP Biology class calculated the molarity of Russett potato and sweet potato.
The higher molarity of the sweet potato means that their cells have a higher solute concentration and lower water potential.
Biology students study the effect of a rooting compound on root development
And gained more mass.
B-block Ecology visited Warner Park on 8-26-2015
D-block Ecology visited Warner Park on 8-25-2015
Walk to School Day - October 14th
Walk to School
Video the discusses the hazards of abandoned fishing nets.
April 2015
Environmental Science students do water sampling at the Harpeth River during a period of high flow.
Data
We also visited the Whites Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant
September 2014
The freshmen have started plants from seed for experiments.
And some of the plants have been transplanted to the hydroponic and aquaponic systems. Before too long these plants will take over.
The Ecology students visited the Warner Parks Nature Center and made observations of the different habitats.
Philippine Tarsier Conservation
March 2014
The Environmental Issues classes studied the greenhouse effect and the effect that moisture has on the effect. The found, not surprisingly, that cups containing soil become warmer when they are covered with plastic wrap. The more interesting effect is that of moisture. The dry treatments heated up faster in each case.
C/D covered dry
U/D uncovered dry
U/W uncovered wet
December 2013
The Honors Biology students studied a simulation of natural selection.
Predation of plain and printed butterflies is compared on plain and printed backgrounds.
You can see that it clearly helps to be a printed moth on a printed background, and a plain moth on a plain background.
December 6, 2013
The Honors Biology students have been growing edible plants under various conditions.
Harvested Cucs
Getting ready to enjoy our kale, turnip greens, and cucumber salad.
Check out the Guerrilla Gardener